Chapter 3 Levels Of Analysis

Question 1

Identify three variables that can be used to analyze individual-level decisions in international relations.

Answer 1

1. Humans as a species-cognitive factors, emotional factors, biological factors, and gender.
2. Organizational behavior-role behavior, and decision-making behavior within organizations.
3. Idiosyncratic analysis-Personality, physical and mental health, ego and ambition, political history and personal experiences.

Question 2

What are the main foci for state-level analysts?

Answer 2

State-level analysts focus on the characteristics of the state and how they make foreign policy choices and implement them. These include:

1. Type of government
2. The type of situation. For example during a crisis situation.
3. Type of foreign-policy- what is the issue area? will the policy have an immediate or obvious impact on Americans (intermestic policy)?
4. Political culture-a societies widely held, traditional values and its fundamental practices (American exceptionalism and the missionary impulse; sinocentrism and the non-missionary impulse).

Question 3

Name three or more personal characteristics that influence individual decision-makers.

Answer 3

1. Personality-along an active-passive scale and a positive-negative scale. Active leaders are policy innovators; passive leaders are reactors. Positive personalities enjoy the contentious political environment; Negative personalities feel burdened, even abused by it.
2. Physical and mental health-Franklin Roosevelt and his illness, and Adolf Hitler and his psychological problems and addictions to many substances.
3. Ego and ambition-Saddam Hussein and his grandiose vision of himself; President Bush Sr and his wimp factor, Newsweek article.
4. Political history and personal experiences-Pres. George W. Bush and his statement that Saddam Hussein was the guy who tried to kill his dad.

Question 4

Describe the nature of system level analysis.

Answer 4

This examines how the realities of the international system influence foreign-policy. This Focuses on the external restraints on foreign policy. This is a top-down approach to world politics that examines the social-economic-political-geographic characteristics of the system. Interaction of all members creates a holistic whole that is greater than the sum of it parts.

1. Structural characteristics-
2. Power relationships
3. Economic realities
4. Norms

Question 5

List a few characteristics of a unipolar system.

Answer 5

1. The central power establishes and enforces rules and dominates military and economic instruments.
2. The central power settles disputes between subordinate units.
3. The central power resists attempts by subordinate units to achieve independence or greater autonomy and may gradually attempt to lessen or eliminate the autonomy of subordinate units

Question 6

Structural characteristics

Answer 6

1. Organization of authority-
   
   • hierarchical (vertical authority structure) subordinate units regulated by higher levels of authority.
   • anarchical (horizontal authority structure). No higher authority to regulate disputes. Based on sovereignty of states. IR is a state-centric system.

Question 7

Power relationships

Answer 7

1. Number of powerful actors
   - balance of power politics, power poles, unipolar system and hegemony
2. Context of power
   Trade deficit with china